悪い ; 笑い

His shoulders, clutching their tenseness as if it might give him life, finally started to ease-- if only a little. But, naturally, the more he heard about travel and timezones, the more easily he could melt into the imaginary world where [ everything was fine. ]

Yet, even that much reprieve was STILL --

Some part of him understood it as an act of grace on her part, and silently thanked her for it. Another part supposed it was just pity. Another, the loudest part of all, insisted he not think about for even one second.

After all, even on a person-to-person level, in a world where the elephant is dead and gone, he was still so terribly small in her presence, and the very notion of all this travel cemented it. These places -- New York! France! -- were the exquisite types that only existed in dreams, as far as he was concerned.

He knew better than to make assumptions of people. He really did. But she fit the image of refinement absolutely perfectly, EVEN WHILE KNOWING what she did to keep afloat.

Why is she even talking to him? He should be serving her wine, he thinks.

"Wow-- Those places- It sounds so luxurious..~!"

Should he even speak? His voice sounded so-- PATHETIC.

「 stop. quit that. grab something else. 」

"Ah-- Really? I guess I've heard that before, about the people... Ah, I bet it's just cuz everyone there is so busy~! You'll probably get that in all the big cities, right?"

As if he's ever not busy himself. yet even so, he'll sooner die than let himself come off as mean.

Moreover, it's not as if he hadn't met people here who---

No, that topic isn't working either, grab something ELSE.

"Oh, hey, if you do! You should definitely swing by, uh-- Well, maybe it's just my tastes~ But I'm totally into Shinjuku! Ah, it's a little cheesy with some of the tourist traps, but- They're kinda my favorite part~! There's this huge godzila statue, and this holographic cat thing--"

Too much. You sound stupid.

"Uh-- You might like Omoide Yokochou, though~? 'Memory Lane', it's like-- This quaint little street, set up kinda like old Japan. Lots of ambiance, with flowers and lanterns, and-- lots of food, it smells amazing."

You're just RAMBLING, shut up-!

send one to have our muses meet for the first time.

“Sorry, were you just talking to me?”

“I think you dropped this.”

“You look lost. Need some help?”

“I don’t usually talk to strangers, but…”

“You’re sitting in my spot.”

“Whoa! Careful!”

“We’ve never met, right? You seem familiar.”

“Is that seat taken?”

“Sorry, I think I just spilled something on you.”

“You’re blocking the doorway.”

“Were you just staring at me?”

“Excuse me, do you know the time?”

“Wait — are you the person I’m supposed to meet?”

“I’ve been sent to find you.”

“Please don’t be alarmed, but I think we have the same bag.”

“Do you work here?”

“I’m fairly certain that’s mine.”

“You’ve got something on your face.”

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Do you know the way to ___?”

“You’re hurt. Do you need help?”

“That’s a fine ___ (cloak/hat/book/etc.). Where did you get it?”

“This might sound strange, but can I hide behind you for a moment?”

“You look like you could use a friend.”

“I think your dog just stole my lunch.”

“Hey, you dropped your coin purse.”

“I think we’re stuck in here together.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but…”

“Are you the new neighbor?”

“First time in town?”

“I’m not sure if this belongs to you, but…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“I think you’re in the wrong place.”

“You seem… out of place.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you following me?”

“That was a close call.”

“Not to alarm you, but someone’s watching you.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

“You look like you’re in trouble.”

“Was that your doing back there?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“That was impressive. How’d you manage it?”

“I’m guessing you’re not here by accident.”

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

“You might want to keep your voice down.”

“Is it always this strange around here?”

“I have a feeling we’re about to become acquainted whether we like it or not.”

i do? thank you~!

Oh-! I-- I came by for today.. I guess I could stay longer-! If you want to hang out,,!

Aa-! That's good, isn't it? That kinda said something, but he laughed it off!!

They-- they do? That's good-! I... feel brighter!

“O-oh, are you all right?”

Maxim asked as if he had bumped into her himself. He looked the girl over from head to toe. A slight smile appeared on his face as he chuckled.

“In this country, they haven't yet come up with fines for pedestrians who knock down other pedestrians... You're lucky, huh.”

She was far too elated by the thrill of that to clock it-- how objectively funny it is for him to ask. This is plainly her fault, and she's nothing but proud ! Maybe a little dizzy.

"Pedest-huh~?"

A word she didn't know. And didn't care to know. She swayed back a few wonky steps and giggled, finally looking over her target.

"Knockin' over? Not yet-- Let's go!"